Religion in Marin County is part of a new religious environment in the United States. As this study shows, religion in the county is both traditional and exploratory, representative and unusual. However, Marin is not unique. It is more like the religious landscape of the United States in general than not. Marin serves as a case study of particular changes occurring on the religious landscape of America.

This study reveals five trends. First, traditional religious institutions involve more Marin County residents than other forms of religious affiliation. Many still identify themselves as Christian, belong to congregations, and use traditional forms of worship. Second, there is a growing population of religious searchers, those on spiritual journeys who are looking beyond the faith in which they were raised for their own individual religious identity. Consequently, the numbers of people practicing faiths other than Christianity are growing. Third, this spiritual searching results in a growing number of people who are switching religions. It can no longer be assumed that a person is born into one religion and will maintain that religious identity all of his or her life.   Fourth, many people whom have not switched religions borrow from different religious traditions. By incorporating worship practice and/or ritual aspects of other faiths into their own, these people are enriching their own faith. Fifth, there is a growing population that lives in households where more than one religion is practiced. Some may have a partner who practices a different religion or some may be part of a blended family with multiple faiths in the home.

Religious & Spiritual Change in America: The Experience of Marin County, California. San Francisco: Institute for Jewish & Community Research, 2002. Tobin, Gary A. and Patricia Lin. PDF